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10 Tips For Getting Your Basketball Team Focused, Motivated, And Playing Hard!
- By Jeff Haefner
"Coaches who can outline plays on a blackboard are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their players and motivate." -- Vince Lombardi
One of the biggest challenges that basketball coaches of all levels face is the challenge of keeping your players focused, motivated to play, and playing as hard as they can. The following are 10 tried and true tips to keep your team motivated.
1. Set a precedent on the first day of practice. Establishing your expectations from the very beginning is the best way to not only establish your role within the team but to also let your players know what kind of coach you're going to be.
For example: As your first practice starts and players are milling about blow your whistle and call them to the center of the gym. If they don't sprint to you, they get to run right then and there. After they've run, blow the whistle again. This time all your players will enthusiastically sprint to you. And more importantly, you'll have their full attention for the rest of the year.
2. Show your players that they matter. Probably the most effective method for getting your players to work hard for you, and for themselves, is to let them know that you care about them.
Show interest in their lives outside of basketball. Get to know your players as individuals. Spend time talking to them one on one. It doesn't have to be for hours; a couple minutes will do the trick. The point is to let them know that they're important to you on and off the basketball court.
3. Model motivation in all of your actions. Have fun, remain positive, and let your players know what is expected of them immediately. Your players will pick up on everything that you say and do and they will respond accordingly. Verbalize your philosophy so your players know what to expect and to what to strive for.
For example: If you tell your players that the best rebounders will be starters, then players will all strive to be good rebounders. You've told them through your words and actions that rebounding is important to you.
It's all about what you emphasize! If you're constantly talking about rebounding, you're players will pick up on that and become good rebounders.
4. Offer verbal rewards. Rewards grab attention - players and people love compliments. Whether you're running beginner basketball drills or drills that require more skill, give praise for improvement and for working hard.
Occasionally, for significant effort, praise players in front of the team. Public praise is often well received and players will work hard to earn such praise. Remember that if negative feedback is required to sandwich it between positive feedback. For example: "You did a great job hustling down the court, next time wait for a better shot. Keep up the great hustle and the good shots will be there for you."
5. Offer occasional non-verbal rewards. Players can be motivated to achieve goals by occasionally offering tangible rewards like a Gatorade or by utilizing a tactic of the great Morgan Wooten. Wooten offered "Permissions" to his players.
Permissions were rewards granted to players based on outstanding efforts or reaching set goals. The permissions are earned throughout the practice and then totaled up at the end. Each permission resulted in one less lap, suicide, or other conditioning drill.
You can also add laps to players for not meeting expectations. For example you can set up a basketball rebounding drill and players that get 5 or more rebounds pick up a permission and those that get less than 4 pick up a lap.
6. Coach the success of the team. When it comes down to it, it is more fun to win together than it is to win alone and basketball is a team sport. Your players are more likely to give greater effort if they know the team is counting on them. By reminding players, through your actions and words that they are a team, they'll be motivated to work together to succeed.
Often this can be accomplished by verbally praising players that are working well together or by offering a non verbal reward for practices where they work together particularly well. Also, by knowing your players strengths and weaknesses you'll be able to keep an eye out for potential conflicts and enforce a team attitude.
7. Add competition to your drills. A great way to spice things up and keep players working hard is to add competition to your drills.
As an example, you could establish teams for a shooting drill and reward the team or individual player that makes the most shots successfully.
With a little imagination, you can come up with ways to make almost all your drills competitive.
Just remember that comparisons between teammates can make some players feel badly about themselves and can spur rivalries between teammates. In short, it can squash a player's motivation. If you need to compare teammates, do so only to model a desired behavior or skill. For example, "Watch how Joe follows through with his free throw shot, try that next time you're at the line and see how it feels."
8. Teach visualization. Visualization is a valuable coaching tool and it is the one skill that all athletes can take away from their sport, no matter what level they perform at, and use the skill to attain success the rest of their lives.
Teach your players to visualize reaching their goals. Visualization teaches focus. It teaches planning, executing, and succeeding. Incorporate a few minutes of visualization in each practice by asking the team to visualize a play that they're having difficulty perfecting, a shot that they need to work on, or executing the drill of their choice.
Teach them to utilize all their senses in the visualization so that they can hear the ball bouncing, see the ball bouncing, and feel their gym shoes squeak on the floor.
9. Don't punish, discipline with the intent to teach. Punishment for poor or inappropriate behavior only serves to fragment the teams focus and hinder their motivation. Instead, discipline with the intent to teach your players how to conduct themselves appropriately.
Rather than yell or punish players that aren't living up to their potential, ask them, "Is that the best you can do? Are you trying your hardest?" Often simply by acknowledging to you or to themselves that they're not trying their hardest, players will try harder, particularly if they know that you notice.
Additionally, discipline with consistency. For example, if it is unacceptable to be late to practice then all who are late to practice receive the exact same consequences no matter what.
10. Set the right type of goals for your team and for your players. Players and teams need goals so that they know what to focus on and they know what to strive for. But the key is the "type" of goals you choose...
I'm a firm believer that you should NOT set goals for the prestigious statistics, like scoring the most points and even winning games. Players already want those things without setting goals. Not to mention, it gives them the wrong idea.
However, if you set goals for other critical aspects of the game you will see huge success!
You can set goals for a low number of turnovers, team shooting percentage, your opponents shooting percentage, team rebounds (not individual), defensive stats, and possessions per game. You always want more possessions that the other team and that comes from recounding and taking care of the basketball.
You could even have conditioning goals like 100 push-ups or run a mile in less than 5 minutes. Just be careful about the message you send your players when setting goals. When used properly, goals are a powerful motivator.
Don't forget to reward players for achieving their goals.
Know that what motivates some players will not motivate others. It is important to get to know your players as individuals and to know how they will respond individually and as a team to motivational tactics. In the end, if you're involved, excited, and willing to take the time to keep practices interesting, then your team will respond.
What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
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Comments
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Tony G says:
12/27/2006 at 3:09:35 PM
Thanks for your informative and highly relevant newsletter. Much Appreciated.
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fee says:
12/27/2006 at 6:45:14 PM
Great suggestions. Although it's mostly common sense... It's good to see it in writing.
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Fadi Murra says:
12/28/2006 at 3:59:31 AM
There is no comments, only what i would like to say is that you are so grate and wonderful coach.
and really i took many tips that will help me in coaching and dealing with my basketball team. and i have to introduce to you my self, i am Fadi MURRA, a christian palestinian from bethlehem and i am a coch and player at the same...
and i do not now if you could do a favour for me, that i would some notes about how to deal or how to start or whats the prosedures for the first day training or meeting with a new team? especially with tean who speaks too much and not that concentrate in the training ... and also if you could help me to what shull i speak and do for the first meeting of the new team.???
It will be greatfull from you for any help and assitant to me...
and a Merry Christmas to you and wish you a happy new year, my your wishes for the year 2007 will come true...
Sicerely Yours,
FAdi Murra
Email : fadi_murra@yahoo.co.uk
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Richard Rowe says:
1/1/2007 at 11:17:28 PM
9. Don't punish, discipline with the intent to teach. Punishment for poor or inappropriate behavior only serves to fragment the teams focus and hinder their motivation. Instead, discipline with the intent to teach your players how to conduct themselves appropriately.
Rather than yell or punish players that aren't living up to their potential, ask them, "Is that the best you can do? Are you trying your hardest?" Often simply by acknowledging to you or to themselves that they're not trying their hardest, players will try harder, particularly if they know that you notice.
Additionally, discipline with consistency. For example, if it is unacceptable to be late to practice then all who are late to practice receive the exact same consequences no matter what.
This is the awesome advise for any coach of any sport. Thanks so much.
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Garry Abben says:
1/12/2007 at 10:41:12 AM
Informative! I've been coaching a long time, and it's agood reminder for all of us to discipline, not punish. There is a huge difference!
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Derrick Morgan says:
1/19/2007 at 2:08:04 PM
I believe that visualization is an underutilized technique that really provides concrete benefits to players. As a player I used it to prepare for game time situations, and I even use it as a coach as part of final game planning.
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Gary Gill says:
11/19/2007 at 9:20:48 PM
wonderful suggestion i am learning something new everytime i read your articles.I am better able to manage my training.
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Coach O says:
11/21/2007 at 8:19:07 PM
I also agree with not punishing but sometimes struggle with what type of discipline then would be best? I hate to have them run killers or do pushups as these type of things are used for training anyways. Killer type running drills with the ball are part of our training with a new twist added to it each time and pushups are a great tool for gaining strength and I don't want a discipline to be something that is a positive training tool. I don't want them to associate something that is used for discipline is also used for training!
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Jeff Haefner says:
11/26/2007 at 11:26:41 AM
Coach O,
Other types of discipline and motivation include:
- Playing time. If your kids are old enough, this is the ultimate motivator. If they want to play, they need to listen to you. Sit them on the bench and let them know why. See how they react in the future.
- Show you care. Simply by showing interest in their lives outside of basketball shows you care. This greatly helps with player motivation.
- Explain the reason why. Many times coaches forget to explain the reason they are doing something and just tell them to do the drill because you said so.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
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Coach Ivan, Salesian High School says:
11/29/2007 at 1:35:11 PM
It is an important aspect of the game to set obtainable goals. An example of a short term goal would be to obtain a league championship. An example of a long term goal (as it relates to the sport of basketball), would be to obtain a division championship, city/state title.
Without discipline, there is no structure. Without structure, you have no success.
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dr Manish Parihar says:
12/1/2007 at 10:59:58 AM
nicely written
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Dr Manish Parihar SMS Medical College jaipur INDIA says:
12/1/2007 at 11:10:26 AM
To promote Basketball we need 4M -Means
MANPOWER MONEY MATERIAL MOMENT
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Coach O says:
12/1/2007 at 11:17:53 AM
I understand that having a disciplined team with attainable goals is extremely important and I thank you for posting those feedback comments. What I am really looking for is some techniques used in practice for 5th graders in terms of discipline/consequences when they are playing very sloppy...not listening...fooling around, etc. What does anyone suggest could be used to stop this behavior during an important part of our practice time? As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I do not wish to associate a positive training tool such as push-ups or killer type drills (with the ball) to be associated with a discipline during a rough part of practice. I most always involve the whole team when one player has hurt the flow of practice and I do that so the team knows we are a team good times or bad. If it gets bad enough, I do remove that particular player from practice and he will go and sit down and we will talk it through later. I do not want to waste much practice time for the discipline to take place but I do wish to send a strong message about behavior that is not acceptable and unproductive for the team.
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Dr Manish parihar SMS Medical College Jaipur basketball player Rajasthan India says:
12/2/2007 at 8:15:38 AM
BASKETBALL IS NOT SUCH POPULAR AS FOOTBALL DUE TO HEIGHT REASON ,FOOTBALL CAN BE PLAYED WITH ANY HEIGHT SO WHAT MODIFICATION SHOULD BE MADE ,THERE SHOULD BE RESEARCH ANY WAY BASKETBALL IS WONDERFUL FITNESS SPORT AS FAR AS CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE IS CONCERN AND DURATION OF MOST WONDERFUL DRUG ACCORDING AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE ,RANGE LIES BETWEEN 20 TO 90 MINUTES THAT IS FOR BASKETBALL 40 MINUTES
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COACH MUNROE says:
12/13/2007 at 9:41:38 PM
I AM A NEW COACH, I HAVE READ YOUR INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A BETTER TEAM. I LIKE ALL YOUR TIPS AND LOOK FOWARD USING THEM ON MY BOYS AND WITH MYSELF. I TO BELIEVE THAT BECOME A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM TAKE LEADERSHIP FROM EACH OF YOUR PLAYERS AND THAT THEY ALL HAVE TO PUT IN THE HARD WORK TO BECOME A BETTER TEAM ON AND OFF THE COURT. AND COMMUNICATION IS A BIG FACTOR IN BUILD A SOLID TEAM IN DEFFENCE AND OFFENCE.
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Dr Manish Parihar SMS Medical College JAIPUR INDIA says:
12/16/2007 at 9:19:15 AM
Respected Sir/Madam
I am Basketball Player and Cricketer with that I have also given little bit of coaching to my medical college basketball and cricket team I am physiologist ,teacher in medical college as well as life member Indian Federation of Sports Medicine.Baketball is official state sports in Rajasthan , I want to know how sports medicine can help besides your tips to lift standard of Basketball Globelly -Thanks
drmanishparihar@yahoo.co.in
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Yolanda says:
1/24/2008 at 1:35:56 PM
As a new coach of our church's girls basketball team, I am estatic to have come across this website. It is just what I needed. I plan to use everything you have suggested! I too would like more on the concept of discipling to teach instead of to punish. In fact, this concept is universal and can and should be applied to all aspects of life when we find ourselves in leadership roles with disciplinary responsibilities.
Can some one please provide a list of disciplinary actions that relate to common miscues occuring both at practice and during actual games? That would make this website even more comprehensive.
I will visit this site often!
Thank you!
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Coach T says:
3/8/2008 at 4:09:20 PM
great stuff i needed to see it glad i got this info
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Coach says:
3/13/2008 at 2:38:31 PM
The tips were great!It''s always a plus to hear things that remind you of your main objective.
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Coach "K" says:
3/13/2008 at 2:43:07 PM
alot of my questions were answered in the 10 tips.thanks alot for the tips
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Juan Castro says:
3/30/2008 at 2:27:33 AM
Highly informative! It brings back the memories when i was still playing competitive basketball.Now that im coaching,the tips you gave serve as reminders which can help make a team a disciplined one.Thanks a lot.
Coach Juan Castro
Philippines
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david says:
3/31/2008 at 1:59:41 PM
this coment is for the person who posted about the 5th grade team and disapline, i belive it was coach O. i think u should focous on the kids having alittle fun, at any age the kids want to win but some times we as coaches and parents go overboard with the kids being overly focused or focused every min. of practice. dont get me wrong win baby win. litin up have some fun your self at practice. then let them know hey we are about to go over something new or this is what we are having trouble with time to focus.
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kkkk says:
4/3/2008 at 6:01:08 PM
jnknmn,
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Beau says:
4/8/2008 at 8:25:41 AM
Great tips, your stuff is a good read
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patricio bridgewater says:
4/13/2008 at 4:26:06 PM
you probably won't believe what I'm about to say (write) I know very little about basketball. I'm a level II volleyball trainer/coach. Your articles inspire me to learn more. I realy enjoy reading all your articles wheter it's an advice or simply teaching how achieve the maximum of your players. I never came across so much information. Since reading your articles I've become more aware of training my youth. I'm now using your articles to inspire other coaches. Thanks thanks thanks
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